Researchers develop biodegradable printed exhibit

In the next year, the increasing use of electronic devices in consumer goods and new technologies for the Internet of Things will increase the amount of electronic waste. Conserving resources and reducing waste volumes requires environmentally friendly production and a more sustainable life cycle. Scientists from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are now the first to produce exhibits, the biodegradability of which has been checked and certified by an independent office. The results are presented in the Journal of Materials Chemistry.

“For the first time, we have shown that it is possible to produce sustainable exhibitions based on industrially relevant production methods that are largely based on natural materials. After use, these exhibitions are not electronic waste, but can be composted with recycling and recycling. reuse, it can help minimize or completely prevent some of the environmental impacts of electronic waste, ‘says Manuel Pietsch, first author of the publication and researcher at KIT’s Light Technology Institute (LTI), which operates at the Heidelberg InnovationLab.

Low energy consumption, simple component architecture

The operation of the display is based on the so-called electrochromic effect of the initial organic material. When voltage is applied, the league absorption changes and the material changes color. Electrochromic screens have a low power consumption and a simple component architecture compared to commercially available screens, such as LED, LCD and E-paper. Another advantage is that these screens can be produced by inkjet printing in a personal, inexpensive and material-efficient way. In addition, this process is suitable for high-throughput scaling. The materials used mainly are of natural origin or biocompatible. The gelatin seal makes the display adhesive and flexible so that it can be worn directly on the skin.

Use it in medical diagnostics and food packaging

The display is usually suitable for short life cycle applications in different sectors. In medical diagnostics, where hygiene plays an important role, sensors and their indicators should be cleaned or discarded after use. The newly developed exhibition will not be dumped as electronic waste, but is compostable. It can also be used for quality monitoring in food packaging, where reuse is not allowed. With digital printing, the screens can be customized for people or intricate shapes without the process being expensive. This reduces resource consumption.

“As far as we know, this is the first demonstration of a biodegradable screen produced by inkjet printing. It will pave the way for sustainable innovations for other electronic components and for the production of environmentally friendly electronics,” says Gerardo Hernandez-Sosa, Head of LTIs Printed Electronics Group at the Heidelberg InnovationLab.